F1 U-turn over in-season testing over tyre safety
Fearing driver revolt after tyres exploded on four cars during British Grand Prix, FIA changes rules in bid to allay safety fears
Facing a revolt from teams over exploding tyres at the British Grand Prix, Formula One's governing body has decided to allow in-season testing to allay safety fears and let Pirelli sort out the problem.
Jean Todt, the International Automobile Federation president, said the young drivers' test scheduled for July 17-19 at Silverstone would now be opened to all F1 drivers, although Mercedes would be excluded after they were reprimanded for holding unsanctioned tyre tests in May.
Todt said the unprecedented move - in-season testing was banned in 2009 over cost concerns - follows Sunday's race where tyres exploded on four cars including Lewis Hamilton's and Felipe Massa's.
"Our priority is to ensure safety for all in Formula One and we believe the incidents at Silverstone represent a genuine safety concern for the drivers," Todt said. "We have thus taken the decision to alter the young drivers' test to allow teams to use drivers they deem fit to carry out tyre development work in a bid to solve the problems we saw at the British Grand Prix. I believe it is fitting to carry out this work at the circuit upon which the issues were manifested."
Todt also said he would seek approval to amend FIA regulations to allow changes in tyre specifications without the approval of all teams - addressing a concern that some teams in the past have stymied efforts to make changes during the season.
He also called for F1's sole provider of tyres, Pirelli, to offer "assurance that there will be no repetition of the tyre problems at this weekend's German Grand Prix or at subsequent [races]".